Los Altos captured the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division boys basketball crown a year after taking the El Camino Division title of the SCVAL. The Eagles clinched with a 55-46 win Friday night over scrappy Milpitas on senior night on the Eagles’ floor.

“It’s not easy to do,” Los Altos coach Bob McFarlane said. “The play in the De Anza is just spectacular. Guys really execute and defend. I’m humble to be in the De Anza with such great coaches and great teams. Milpitas is a fantastic team. My guys showed a lot of composure in winning it.”

Los Altos brings an 18-7 overall mark into the Central Coast Section Div. II playoffs, ending the De Anza slate with a 10-2 ledger. The Trojans (15-9, 8-4 De Anza) could have had a share of the title with a win, but Eagles seniors Joey Malgesini and Steven Garverick wouldn’t have any part of it.

Malgesini went off for 25 points, scoring 14 in the first half as the Eagles led 28-23. Garverick had 16 points, 10 boards, three steals and three blocks in a versatile performance.

Malgesini passed to Garverick for a 3-point goal to begin the third period. Malgesini, stationed outside the left elbow of the lane, faked out a defender, drove to the hoop, hung in the air and scored, while drawing the foul. Malgesini’s free throw put the Eagles up 34-23. Garverick’s 13-footer extended the lead to 36-23.

The Trojans have a speed demon in guard Christian Rita, a Div. I prospect as a wide receiver in football. Rita led a charge in the third period, scoring 10 of his 16 points as the Trojans got within 40-37.

“We did a good job helping and staying in front of him Rita early,” McFarlane. “Boy, is he fast.”

Malgesini had a basket wiped out by an offensive foul to begin the fourth period, but responded by swishing a deep trey for 43-37 Eagles. Malgesini’s second 3-pointer of the period pushed the Eagles’ lead to 51-42.

“He’s ‘Big Shot Joe,’ ” McFarlane said of Malgesini. “He has been doing it for four years. When we need a bucket at a pivotal time, he’s the guy.”

“Malgesini was on fire,” Garverick said. “He played great. He’s a scorer.”

Milpitas big man Jason Scrempos, who had 11 points, passed to Rita for a bucket. Scrempos hit two free throws and the Eagles’ lead was just 51-46 with 1:18 to play. Malgesini’s 15-footer and two free throws by Daniel Rosenbaum with 23 seconds to go sealed the win. The Eagles were a perfect 11-of-11 from the line, a factor that contributed heavily to the win.

“It’s a perfect way to end it,” the 6-foot-4 Garverick said. “We had a little falling off in the middle of the season. We went back to the basics.”

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